Monthly Archives: February 2012

Misc.: These are fragments of two different broken headstones laid together. The upper stone has little damage above the break, some wear to the lettering, and some dark lichen or moss growth. The lower stone is broken at both the top and the bottom, some wear to the lettering (especially at the bottom), and heavy lichen growth obscuring a portion of the inscription.

Inscription (top): Flora Lansing Grandmother of John Titus, who died Feby 14th, 1802, aged 82 years, and her children.

The last part of the year on Fora’s stone is hidden by grass in this photo and I will copy the correct year on my next visit to the Church Grounds. It appears to be one of the older graves here. The age indicates that Fora may have been a slave for part of her life. There were Lansing slave owners in Albany during her era; Flora may have belonged to them and taken their name upon being freed. I have not found any additional information on her or her grandson, John Titus. The fact that John Titus is mentioned on her stone hints that he may have paid for his grandmother’s burial and marker.

Nicholas Smith’s stone appears to be older and the style of the letters is a little cruder. More detailed photos may aid in transcribing the visible portions of the text.

Neither was transcribed in the Common Council inventory.

Edited June 26, 2013 – A search of the Cemetery’s burial cards shows a match for Nicholas Smith and a transcription of his epitaph. This stone did not originally come from the Negro section of the State Street Burying Grounds, but from the Potter’s Field. His stone reads: In Memory of Nicholas Smith who departed this life 11th Dec. 1819, aged 4 yrs, 9 months, and 5 days. Sleep on, sweet babe, and take your rest, for God has done as he thought best. The same epitaph is found on the headstone of Merit Ogden.

Misc:.: Plain, but large and well-carved stone with a crack near the lower right corner.

Inscription: Hager Van Vranken Wife of David Van Vranekn Departed this life the 28th day of Feby. 1844 in the 53rd year of her life. Remember this as you pass by; As you are now so once was I As I am now so you must be; Remember God eternally.

There is little information on Hager. The Common Council list omits the space in her surname. There are several David Van Vrankens in the 1860 census, one of who may have been her widower.

Inscription: In Memory of Mary McCany; Who departed this life, June 7th, 1811, Aged 32 years, 11 months, And 7 days. Teach me to do thy holy will, And lead me to thy holy hill, Let the good spirit of thy love, lead me to thy courts above.

This is one of the oldest stones in the A.M.E. lot and is in very fine condition. There is, once again, little biographical data for this woman. This stone appears in the Common Council list as McCanny.

Misc.: Medium-sized stone with some discoloration and lichen, has a vertical crack on the left and some chipping along the bottom. This is one of only two decorated stones in the A.M.E. lot and features an urn surrounded by deep-carved stylized vines.

Inscription: In memory of Robert Sandford, who died Sept. 2nd, 1825, in the 45th year of his age. Go home my friends and dry up your tears, My dust lies here until Christ appears, Repent in time what time you have, There is no repentance in the grave.

This stone is listed in the Common Council inventory, though the name appears in the list as “Sandtford.” I have not yet been able to locate any census data or other records for him. He was born before emancipation in New York State, but it isn’t known if he was born a slave or free. By the time of his death, he or his relatives were able to afford this handsomely carved stone. As noted above, it is one of only two gravestones in the A.M.E. lot to feature such decorative carving.

Misc: Two very small stones with some erosion, lichen, and minor chipping of edges

Inscription: J.M. and F.L.L.

Both of these little stones are included in the Common Council list, but there is apparently no other information on them. It isn’t known if these were markers for individual graves within a family lot with a central gravestone, footstones to match now lost headstones, or gravestones for individuals whose families could not afford large markers with full names inscribed.

Misc.: Very simple, but nicely sized stone in very good condition with just one large chip to the base.

Inscription: Thomas Jefferson died May 22, 1852, aged 29 Years. “Therefore, be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Mancometh.”

As with many stones in this section, there is very little historical and biographical information available about the deceased. In this case, the 1850 census record shows a probable match; a Thomas Jeferson who was born in Maryland. He appears as a porter in Albany’s 5th Ward at the address of Bernerd Pullet, a French-born dancing master.